ac greenfix chickling vetch

What is hairy vetch good for?

Benefits. Hairy vetch fixes large amounts of nitrogen (N) that help meet N needs of the following crop, protects soil from erosion, helps improve soil tilth, and provides weed control during its vigorous growth in the spring and when left as a dead mulch at the soil surface.

How do you kill hairy vetch?

A severe freeze with temperatures less than 5° F may kill hairy vetch if there is no snow cover, reducing or eliminating the stand and most of its N value. If winterkill is possible in your area, planting vetch with a hardy grain such as rye ensures spring soil protection.

Will hairy vetch reseed itself?

Hairy vetch, as a winter annual, will sprout in the fall, overwinter, regrow in spring, go to seed and die. The scientists sowed the vetch in mid-September.

How long does it take hairy vetch to germinate?

Germination: 10 - 14 days. Ideal temperature for germination is about 68 degrees F. If the soil temperature is too cold, the seed will not germinate. Plant vetch 30 to 45 days before killing frost for winter annual management.

Is hairy vetch good for cattle?

Hairy vetch is a nitrogen-fixing plant that works well as a cover crop but is not recommended as a forage crop because of toxicity to cattle and horses.

Is vetch good for cattle?

In addition to protecting land from erosion, hairy vetch can provide spring pasture for livestock. In other cases, producers plant it with winter annual grasses, especially small grains. They then harvest the forage for hay or silage.

Is hairy vetch a good cover crop?

Hairy vetch is a cover crop that is an attractive option for many growers in Massachusetts. It is hardy enough to survive the harsh winters of New England and can add significant amounts of nitrogen to the soil if allowed to grow long enough.

How much is hairy vetch per acre?

Hairy vetch is planted in the fall wherever it is grown. It is normally seeded at 20 to 40 pounds per acre. Due to the vining, climbing habit of the plant, it is often sown in combination with rye so the rye may provide some support. In a mixture, 50 pounds of rye and 15 to 20 pounds of vetch per acre should be used.

Will Clethodim kill cereal rye?

The group 1 herbicides (e.g. clethodim, fluazifop, etc.) do not provide effective consistent control of cereal rye.

Do bees like hairy vetch?

There are many different types of vetch, but hairy vetch and crown vetch are among the two most popular ones for bee-attracting cover crops. Their pink to purple blooms are also an added benefit, so this one really is a triple winner.

Can hairy vetch be planted in spring?

The plant is sometimes planted in spring, especially in agricultural applications. In the garden, hairy vetch cover crops are usually grown through the winter and plowed into the soil before spring planting.

Will deer eat hairy vetch?

Hairy vetch is a widely adapted, winter hardy cool-season annual legume that supplies an abundant amount of palatable forage for deer and turkeys and other wildlife in late spring into early summer. It also produces an excellent seed crop that attracts quail and turkey.

Is Vetch a perennial?

American vetch is a native, perennial, climbing vine that grows approximately 1 to 2 feet tall. Each plant has a single stem.

Is it too late to plant a cover crop?

Don't be afraid to plant cover crops late, after the first frost. Most covers will germinate in a week to ten days and if you get a stretch of good October weather — we always do, don't we? (ha) — take advantage.

Is hairy vetch poisonous?

The seeds of hairy vetch when eaten in quantity by cattle and horses cause nervous signs and death. The seeds of Vicia sativa have been reported to contain cyanide. An annual with stems 4-6 feet in length, with hairy stems and leaves.

What animals eat Vetch?

Animals that chew their cud, such as cows, sheep and goats are able to eat crown vetch because the offending compounds are absorbed in their more complex digestive system but in an animal without the ruminate digestion it can cause weight loss, lack of muscle coordination, posterior paralysis and eventually death.

Do chickens eat Vetch?

Vetch is winter hardy, and a freeze will not kill it. ... Or, animals (chickens and pigs especially) can be grazed on the vetch, to eat it to the ground. Grazing animals on a vetch patch is one of the best things a gardener can do to improve soil health.

Can horses eat vetch hay?

It is known to accumulate large amounts of nitrogen and cyanogenic glycosides, a highly dangerous toxin found in various plants. Horses will not consume a toxic plant such as the vetch unless under a specific set of circumstances. ... villosa) is poisonous; its bitter taste is only tolerated by the hungriest of horses.

What grass is bad for cows?

Small Grains (Barley, Oats, Rye, Ryegrass, Wheat, Triticale). Rapid growing, lush grasses can lead to grass tetany when grazing cattle. High-protein grasses may contribute to bloat. Nitrate toxicity risk increases with heavy nitrogen fertilization of cool-season grasses.

What is the easiest cow to raise?

Beef cattle are generally the most profitable and easiest livestock to raise for profit.

What is the best grass to grow for cattle?

Alfalfa- It is probably the best high quality feed for livestock and as a cash crop but it requires deep, well drained soils and high fertility for high yields. While it can be used for grazing, it is best adapted for hay or silage.